๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐
South Africa
Australia
The WTC 2023-25 cycle will end with a high-stakes final between South Africa and Australia at Lordโs. Australia will go into this match as the defending champions, having beaten India in the 2023 final. Pat Cummins will captain Australia again, while Temba Bavuma will lead a strong South Africa.ย
Both teams will have key players returning after a long IPL season. The squads will be back to full strength.ย
South Africa will go into this final with strong recent form, having won their last 7 matches. Australia have also been solid, with 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 games.ย
The last 5 head-to-head matches have been even, with both teams winning 2 each and 1 match ending in a draw. This final will bring two in-form teams to the pitch, both sides aiming to finish the Test cycle with a trophy.
Australia's bowling unit has world-class experience and strong chemistry, with Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, and Lyon having delivered in other major final matches.
The betting tip is...
Top Bowler Team - Australia
64 %
36 %
South AfricaAustraliaSouth Africa will enter the WTC Final with a balanced squad. Temba Bavuma will continue as captain and will aim to extend his unbeaten run in Tests as skipper. Kagiso Rabadaโs return will strengthen the bowling unit, especially alongside Keshav Maharaj. Both have picked up 36 and 40 wickets respectively in the last 8 matches.
Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs will join after a strong IPL season. Marco Jansen will play a key role with both bat and ball. David Bedingham will add stability to the middle order after scoring 566 runs in 10 matches. Tony de Zorzi will open and bring solidity at the top.
Maharaj and Rabada will be supported by Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen in the pace attack. This team will combine experience and depth across all departments.
Rabada, Maharaj and Jansen are the key bowlers.
Predicted Lineup: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson.
Australia will enter the WTC Final with the confidence of defending champions and a champion's mentality, which the South Africans will lack. Pat Cummins will continue to lead, and his pace trio with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will carry major responsibility. All three bring vast experience and will be supported by Nathan Lyon, who has taken 41 wickets in the last 10 matches.
Steven Smith has been confirmed to bat at number four by Cummins. He will enter the final with 734 runs in 10 matches. Usman Khawaja and Travis Head are expected to open, with Marnus Labuschagne to bat at number three. Cameron Green is likely to be preferred over Beau Webster for the all-rounder slot.ย
This squad combines experience across formats and conditions. Their recent record and big-match temperament will keep them a step ahead in pressure situations.
Starc, Hazlewood & Cummins are the key bowlers.
Predicted Lineup: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Careyn (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland.
Australia will go into this final with more experience in high-pressure matches. Their bowling unit of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon has played many Tests together and will know exactly how to handle conditions at Lordโs. That chemistry and familiarity will matter on a big stage like this.ย
The South African players will be playing against the Aussie mindset. South Africa may be in better recent form, but Australiaโs bowlers know how to perform in finals.ย
They did it in the WTC 2023 final and have the mindset as theyโve done it in white-ball finals too. With Lyon handling the spin and the pace trio covering the rest, Australiaโs bowling attack will stay ahead across sessions.
Australia's ability to bowl as a group will be the key factor in deciding the winner of this match.
